In Malaysia, the Tamils, Malayalees, and Punjabis look forward to the new year to reunite with family members for a day of celebration and to set their new year goals.
What makes the Indian New Year celebrations extra special are the rituals everyone observes followed by the elaborate preparation of a vegetarian feast for family and friends to partake in.
Here are four Indian New Year celebrations in Malaysia.
1. Vaisakhi
You’ve probably heard that the Punjabis celebrate Vaisakhi every year, but what is this celebration all about?
For many Sikh communities, the celebration is to commemorate the inauguration of the Khalsa (a term used for Sikhs who have been initiated or baptised).
The celebration, spanning three days, begins with replacing the old triangular Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib, with a new one in the morning.
After devotees recite their prayers in the gurdwara, they enjoy a communal meal known as the “langgar”.
What makes the communal lunch an integral part of the Sikh community is that everyone contributes towards preparing and cooking the meal.
From chapattis and saffron rice to sweet desserts, it’s definitely a vegetarian feast like no other at the gurdwara on Vaisakhi.
2. Tamil New Year
“Iniya puthandu nanvalthukkal” (Happy Tamil New Year) is a phrase you might have heard during the new year. Almost similar to the Vishu celebration, Tamil families would also prepare a tray filled with fruits to usher in the new year.
Decked out in their new clothes, the younger members of the family would seek blessings from the elders and then head to the temple. At home, family members would prepare a vegetarian meal and serve it for anyone who comes to their home.
3. Poila Baisakh
Celebrated on April 15 this year, the Bengali New Year is observed by the predominantly Hindu Bengali community in the country.
The community will usually start the day by decorating their homes with flowers. Then, prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha and Lord Lakshmi followed by the younger ones seeking blessings from their older family members.
One dessert that every household will have on the ready is rasgulla, a milk-based sweet, that is served specially during Poila Baisakh. Another popular dessert is Bengali kheer, prepared with rice, milk and sugar.
For some Bengali businessmen, they mark this day of new beginnings by opening their new account books known as the “Haal Kaata” as it’s believed to be an auspicious day to do so.
4. Vishu
The Malayalee community celebrates Vishu on April 15.
Waking up early in the morning, members of the family enter the altar room and prepare a number of auspicious items known as the Vishukanni, as it is believed to bring good luck.
Among the items prepared are flowers, fruits, vegetables, new clothes, money, a mirror and a photo of Lord Vishnu.
The best part of the celebration? Lunchtime! It’s when homemade vegetarian dishes consisting of both sweet and savoury fare are served.
You can look forward to pachadi (South Indian fresh pickles), curries and payasam, a South Indian dessert of vermicelli, milk, ghee, sugar, and jaggery.
It’s an impressive spread of food, so if your Malayalee friends were to invite you to their homes, be sure to say yes!